September 17, 2019 @ 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm

This 12-week session of 45-minute classes is a hands on learning experience for children. Using a combination of techniques from Orff, Dalcroze eurhythmics and Kodaly this program incorporates many of the arts and is often referred to as a “holistic” approach to music teaching. Singing, movement and dance, drama, games, puppets, storytelling, and the playing and exploration of percussion instruments are all a part of these classes. The teaching of beat and rhythm are a constant and depending on the age and capabilities of the class, simple notation might also be introduced. The children experience immediately the joy of making music and have so much fun in these classes that they don’t even realize that they are learning. This is the foundation on which further musical studies can be built.

Denise Swan: Learning music should be joyful. So I wanted to find an approach to teaching young children that would be positive and fun, and would inspire them to continue learning. I have been teaching music to young children for over 25 years, since 1988. I specialize in teaching children ages 6 months to 12 years old. I studied music at York University and received my A.R.C.T. in piano pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. I am a certified Orff teacher with additional certifications in music for babies and early childhood music. My training has included education in child development and I have worked with children with special needs. I’ve also provided several teacher training sessions and workshops. My teaching experience has been at various private music schools, day cares and in the public school system in both Ontario and British Columbia.